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Spontaneous symmetry breaking in vortex systems with two repulsive lengthscales
P J Curran1, W M Desoky1,2, M V Milosević3,4
1University of Bath, Department of Physics, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK.
Scientific Reports
|October 24, 2015
Summary
Scanning Hall probe microscopy revealed novel vortex patterns in disordered MgB2 films. These patterns suggest a new mechanism for symmetry breaking in superconductors, driven by dual-length scale vortex repulsions.
Area of Science:
- Superconductivity
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
Background:
- MgB2 is a two-band superconductor exhibiting unusual vortex patterns attributed to competing interactions.
- Disordered thin films of MgB2 are expected to behave as Type 2 superconductors with repulsive vortex interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate vortex structures in disordered MgB2 thin films using Scanning Hall probe microscopy.
- To understand the underlying mechanisms responsible for observed vortex patterns in these films.
Main Methods:
- Thin epitaxial films of MgB2 were fabricated.
- Scanning Hall probe microscopy (SHPM) was employed to image vortex structures.
- Dirty two-band Ginzburg-Landau calculations were performed for comparison.
Main Results:
- Broken symmetry vortex patterns were observed at low fields in field-cooled MgB2 films.
- These patterns are consistent with competing repulsions at different length scales.
- Simulations using Ginzburg-Landau theory reproduced these structures.
Conclusions:
- The observed symmetry breaking in MgB2 films is attributed to dual-length scale vortex repulsions from two distinct superconducting condensates.
- This represents a novel mechanism for spontaneous symmetry breaking in superconducting vortices.
- Findings have implications for vortex pinning and high current density applications.
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